The best ways to react when your team members seem uninspired and unmotivated.

January 17, 2020 9 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Every small business owner aspires to grow, but that process involves challenges that are not easily fixed just by talking about goals, budgets and weekly tasks. Sometimes, a subculture of dissatisfaction creeps in, and employees start to feel uninspired and unmotivated.Conflicts start to arise, and your team feels divided and uncommunicative, especially during times when you are struggling with cash flow, capacity and the realities of growing a small business.

So you decide to put your leader hat on because you know that your employees are the lifeblood of your company and try to take action by re-engaging your troops. You hold meetingafter meeting to promote teamwork, encourage cooperationand talk about what you are all trying to accomplish together. Still, in the end, you aren't getting the results and collaboration you know everyone is capable of achieving with the right communication. What next?

Related:3 Types of Leadership Strategies That Distinguish Outstanding Entrepreneurs

It's time to make some improvements and change the status quo. Improving team performance will takededication, determination, and leadership from both you and your team. Here are a few tips to continuously implement to achieve a more productive team performance and hit your overall company goals.

High performing small business leaders stay on message all the time. They reaffirm why their work matters, the positive impact they are making in their customer's livesandcontinuously relaythe company's vision and how everyone's role is crucial in getting there.Employees will show a higher degree of commitment if they feel like their work is instrumental in achieving the company's vision and mission.

If everyone shows up at work just to work, it's easy for them to get lost in the daily operations and forget why they joined the company in the first place. When you lead with your vision and make the mission tangible, your employees will unite and work hard to achieve the common goal. Make them feel like they are working towards something big and exciting.

Related:8 Smart Leadership Strategies Most CEOs Forget to Use

Make sure to keep your team in the loop and encourage cross-team communication so everyone understands how their work impacts the company's success as a whole. Beextremely clear about what the final destination looks like, even if you don't necessarily know what the road ahead looks like yet.By doing so, you will give your employees a purpose, a desire to get involved, figure things outand drive results. However, remember to speak from the heart. Your role as a leader is to make your team feel that passion and claim it as their own. Don't be afraid to be a broken record; keep everyone's attention on the bigger picture and lead with your vision.

The simple truth is that there will always be more things to check off the task list, more people to call, more meetings to hold and more issues to address. However, burning out your employees by setting unrealistic goals and deadlines and not giving them enough time to recharge their batteries is counterproductive and creates an environment of resentment. If their loved ones complain that they work too much and at workthey hear that they need to get things done, work harder and achieve greater results, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Negativity will slowly creep in and affect your employees' focus and productivity. They will start feeling like they are failing everyone around them, including themselves.

Your office policies should be fair, encourage loyaltyand reward employees for their contribution and hard work. By giving everyone time to be with their loved ones, assigning mandatory scheduled time for self-careor giving a few extra days off after a challenging project to rest and recharge, you are telling them that their wellbeing matters and that you care about them as fellow humans.

Related:The Strengths and Weaknesses of 4 Distinct Leadership Strategies

It's also important to give time to your employees to gel and get to know each other on a personal level. When we know someone on a deeper level, we are more inclined to support and go the extra mile for that person, collaborate and be part of a team. Scheduling team-building exercises, encouraging after-hours get-togethersand taking the time to ask about a person's personal life and challengeswill build trust and loyalty. Make sure to create an environment where encouragement and positivity thrive and refrain from passing judgments. Remember that the people on your team are humans with their own set of problems, familiesand limitations.

As a small business owner, you usually have a limited number of employees, and you end up wearing many managerial hats. Have some of your employees ever said that they couldn't finish a task because they were waiting on your approval? Do you always feel the need to review and approve your employee's work? Do they hesitate to make moves because historically, you end up changing a lot of their work, making them doubt their abilities?

It's worth mentioning here that what you know or the way you do things might not always be the only way or even the best way to get to the desired result. By continually stepping in, you are fostering a culture of self-doubt and inaction. Instead, try to educate, be open to new ideas, motivate and inspire them to take ownership, step outand praise them for taking action on their own. Before long, your employees will be empowered, and instead of taking a backseat always awaiting direction and approvals, they will start driving the business forward alongside you. Consider specific areas of your business where you should completely step out and let others step in. Give your employees the power and self-confidence to act on their own.

Related:5 Strategies for Franchise Leadership Development

Apart from delegating more responsibilities, consider dropping the labels to foster a more positive atmosphere of mutual support, gratitudeand motivation. People like to be treated as equals and have their ideas heard and respected. Employees want to work for individuals they trust and respect. Respect is earned by what you donot what you think you're going to do. Make sure that you are not continually reinforcing your title and position as a way to get your way with employees.

In many cases, employees regard their leaders as role models and expect to learn from them through insights, shared knowledgeand expertise. If you don't take the time to transfer your accumulated knowledge and support your employee's learning journey, they might end up feeling like they are not important enough to merit the extra effort or attention. It is crucial that you make time to train your employees properly, encourage and support self-development, and acknowledgethe extra effort they are making to grow. In the end, it is all in the name of becoming a better support system for you and their colleagues.

Don't be shy to acknowledge that you don't have all the answers and encourage cross-learning at all levels and among all departments.Everybody has something to contribute, and when everyone is open to learning from each other regardless of their standing in the company, a greater sense of purpose and collaboration will develop team-wide. Always encourage your employees to take extra classes, develop additional skills and bring their learnings back into the company.

Related:22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader

Most importantly, make sure that everyone understands that their development is a crucial part of the company's overall success and that as a leader, you are there to support them in their knowledge journey and vice versa. They can sense in your daily interactions if your commitment to their growth and development is as important to you as your own. As a leader, continually invest time in your own professional growth, and in doing so, your employees will notice and follow suit.

Who doesn't like to get noticed and appreciated for their efforts and hard work?Studies have shownthat even though only 60 percentof adults in the workplace agreed that personal recognition was vital to them, over 96 percent of respondents felt that personal recognition inspired and motivated them to get more involved and do more work.

As leaders, we should never underestimate the power of giving praise when praise iswarranted, especially when one of your employees deliver exceptional results, outstanding workor even steps into leadership to encourage and listen to others. You have to take a moment to acknowledge them and their commitment to excellence. By doing so, you will empower the individual to continue in this direction and reinforce their commitment to the vision, mission and company goals.

Even better, when you, as a leader, start recognizing others' work, a culture of gratitude for others' work will begin to shine through. Not only will they start encouraging each other internally, but this will also be reflected in the service they provide to your customers. This sense of community will motivate everyone to perform at their highest level and come together as a team.

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5 Leadership Strategies to Improve Team Performance and Grow Your Small Business - Entrepreneur

Aaron Kirman knows how to close a deal: He's sold roughly $6 billion worth of real estate over his 25-year career, making him the No. 1 agent in Los Angeles and among the top in the country.

Aaron routinely sells multimillion-dollar properties, including one estate for a whopping $65 million, and on his new CNBC show, "Listing Impossible," he helps homeowners sell their luxury real estate. He also runs the Aaron Kirman Group (AKG), a real estate team he started in 2017 that's grown from seven agents at its inception to nearly 70 today.

As a top realtor, Aaron makes seven figures, but not all real estate agents earn a ton of money and that's one of the biggest misconceptions of the job. Most bring home less than $50,000 a year, Aaron estimates, while a top producer will make between $200,000 and $500,000. "Then you have the very, very, very top a select few who make more than a million," he says, adding: "And then there's one level up, which is big, mega brokers. I'm pretty lucky to consider myself one of those."

To experience a sliver of what it's like to be the top realtor in the City of Angels, I spent a day with Aaron, meeting clients and looking at listings in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in LA.

The author and Aaron, in front of a $65 million home

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It's a brisk Monday in October. I leave my apartment around 6 a.m. to give myself plenty of time to navigate LA traffic and make it to Aaron's home in Beverly Hills on time. His two dogs, Jack and Lucy, greet me at the front door.

Aaron just moved in three weeks ago, but you can't tell. The three-bedroom home is immaculate. It has a mid-century vibe, tons of natural light and the walls are covered in funky art pieces.

"There is no typical day in real estate," he warns me when I arrive. "When we think we have a schedule, it changes. At the level that we do, people need you when they need you and they want you when they want you."

True to his word, our schedule changes multiple times over the next 12 hours. Here's how the day unfolds.

Aaron can't function without his Starbucks. "It's my addiction," he tells me. "No matter where I am, in any given city, I can't get up without it."

By the time I show up, he already has a triple soy cappuccino his typical order in hand. His personal assistant picked it up on her way to his house.

Aaron and his go-to order: a triple soy cappuccino

Most days, like this one, start between 7 and 7:30 a.m. "A lot of people start at like 5 or 6 it's just not in my nature to do that," he says. A later start does typically means a longer day: "We sometimes work until 10 p.m. When I don't have dinners or events, it's more like 8:30 to 9."

Aaron has a detailed and time-consuming morning routine that, even on the busiest days, he refuses to cut short. "I'm very careful with self-care," he says. "I notice if I don't take care of myself in the morning, I'm in a bad mood. I'm crotchety."

After his coffee, he meditates for five to six minutes by his outdoor pool. For him, that's a long time: "In the past, meditation was almost impossible for me. I move really fast, so I've had to work on that part of me. But I've noticed that I'm now much more creative, innovative, calm and centered."

Not a bad place to meditate

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He then swims a few laps and reads the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to catch up on the news before getting ready for the day. He throws on some exercise clothes and packs his work outfit, as he won't come back home after going to the gym.

He used to get dressed up, but now that he's established himself, he can get away with a more casual look. Plus, he's learned that "the more comfortable you are in life, the better you'll do. My competition gets dressed to the nines. They wear suits, they wear ties, they wear $5,000 clothes every day. I'm a T-shirt and jeans guy."

The more comfortable you are in life, the better you'll do.

Aaron Kirman

real estate agent, star of CNBC's "Listing Impossible"

He hasn't yet eaten "breakfast is not my meal," he tells me but grabs a protein shake for the road.

Just before 10 a.m., we head to the gym. Today, we're taking Aaron's Bentley instead of his Porsche.

Since we're already behind schedule, he does an efficient, 20-minute circuit with one of his personal trainers (he has two). He aims to exercise at least 40 minutes a day on a jam-packed day like today, he'll do the second half of his workout at night.

His morning routine pushes back the start of his work day quite a bit, something he's fully aware of: "Our schedule is insane, and it doesn't help that I have this morning routine that probably drives everyone crazy.

"My staff is like, Would you mind skipping the gym? Would you mind not swimming? Would you mind not meditating? And my answer is, no. I have to protect my time. My performance is much better when I'm happy, healthy and living the way I choose to, which means being semi-selfish in the morning."

Aaron works out every day with one of his two trainers

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While our work day doesn't officially start until 11 a.m., Aaron has been taking phone calls all morning, from home and the car.

Most of the calls concern a listing party he's hosting tonight at a $65 million mansion. His team has put a lot of time and money into the event and 200 people are expected to come, but there's a fire in the area that's already closed down major roads. Aaron's trying to decide whether it's appropriate to host the party and is having his team monitor the situation throughout the morning so he can make a final call by 1 p.m.

He puts the decision on hold during his appointments. The first is with a property developer who's interested in hiring Aaron to sell a multimillion-dollar home he and his brother built. It's their first time meeting and they'll have a few more walk-throughs before deciding whether to move forward.

The first property we visit is a $15.5 million home in the heart of the Beverly Hills flats

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

Aaron has a lot of meetings like this, in which sellers are "interviewing" him to sell their property. It's a two-way street, though: Aaron is also interviewing the seller to make sure they'll be a good match.

We're already running late for several appointments, but it doesn't phase Aaron. He simply makes a few phone calls to his assistants, who will push back his schedule.

Our next two meetings are with clients whose homes are nearly ready to put on the market one will be listed for about $20 million and the other for about $33 million. Aaron does a walk-through of both to assess the staging.

The second property we visit, a 6-bed, 9.5 bath listed for $19.995 million

Matthew Momberger

He's very pleased with some design aspects and highly unimpressed with others and he doesn't hold back when offering feedback. His commentary ranges from "Love, love, love, love." to "Hate the chandelier. We gotta get this down." to "Everything is disgusting," which was his gut reaction to one particular home theater.

The third home we visit is an 8-bed, 12-bath listed for $33.4 million

Juwan Li

Besides helping stage the home, another important part of his job is advising the seller on how to pick a fair price for the property.

"In today's market, we really want to price houses exactly where they should be because that's how we get the highest number," he tells me. "If a seller prices too high, it sits on the market and we have to go to them and ask for a reduction. We don't want that. We want to sell the house for what it's worth and get them on their way."

While Aaron can make price suggestions, at the end of the day, it's the seller who makes the final call.

Between meetings, we're in the car, which acts as Aaron's second office. "My car time is my work time," he tells me. "It's the only time we can really catch up on phone calls because we're usually so back-to-back on appointments."

Our final two appointments are in Bel Air specifically, at the Bel Air Golf Club. "This is where the big money LA is," Aaron tells me. "Houses are huge. The biggest sales we have in LA are here."

We spend just 20 minutes at the first property. It's still under construction and the seller has a lot of work to do, but just seeing the view from the infinity pool is enough to tell that this home will eventually come with a fat sticker price.

This particular property still has a lot of work to be done, but the infinity pool is in nice shape

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The last appointment of the day is with a potential buyer: He's a billionaire interested in a $65 million mansion. It's the home where Aaron's listing party was supposed to take place. He made the decision to cancel it because he felt it would be insensitive to host a fun event while neighboring communities were dealing with a destructive fire. Additionally, the theme of the event was fire and water and there were supposed to be fire dancers performing. "That would have been a PR nightmare," he says. "In real estate, when you're at the top of the game like we are, people like to talk and read and write and so we have to be very cautious with our approach. Anything we do can make the news."

Working with the super rich is part of Aaron's day-to-day. Surprisingly, they're also some of his more frugal clients, he tells me: "Ironically, I've noticed that sometimes the more money people have, the less they want to spend it, so getting these deals through can be a challenge."

I can't tag along to meet the billionaire buyer because NDAs have been signed, but Aaron shows me the property after they chat. It's a 28,000-square-foot masterpiece with nine beds, 17 baths, a moat and 160-foot swimming pool.

The last property we see is a resort-like oasis

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

It even has a full-service hair and nail salon in the master suite.

Features in this $65 million mansion include a hair and nail salon

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

Our last stop of the day is Aaron's office, where his entire AKG team is based. It's in Beverly Hills, not too far from his home where we began the day. "The secret of Los Angeles is working close to where you live," he tells me. "That way you're not stuck in traffic for hours and hours."

He has a brief moment to eat his first real meal of the day (pasta and chicken) before stepping into a tech meeting. Finally, around 5:30 p.m., he can check in face-to-face with his assistants and office manager, who help run his business and life.

"People don't realize that behind every person who's very successful there's a team of people who drive that support system," he tells me. "I wouldn't survive day in and day out if I didn't have somebody doing my emails, my calendar, my marketing, my advertising, my technology."

People don't realize that behind every person who's very successful there's a team of people who drive that support system.

Aaron Kirman

real estate agent, star of CNBC's "Listing Impossible"

Aaron has a personal assistant, whose day starts when his does. After delivering his morning coffee to his home, she'll do everything from feeding and walking his dogs to restocking his fridge to filling up his gas tank. Other assistants handle the phone calls that come into his office, the hundreds of emails he gets a day and all of his schedule changes.

It's already been a full day, but he hasn't done any "actual work," he says.

"This is where the business is actually going to get done," Aaron tells me from his corner office. Before diving into the financials of the company and other business tasks with his office manager, he grabs a bag of Pirate's Booty for a snack. An assistant brings him an English tea, which is a new part of his evening routine. "At the end of the day my voice sounds like my Grandma and it sounds like I have nodules even though I don't," says Aaron. He's hoping the tea helps with that.

Aaron heads home around 7 p.m., which is earlier than expected because the party was canceled. Most days end between 9 and 10 p.m.

He doesn't mind the long hours, though. For one, "I don't sit at a desk or in an office. I'm out and about."

Second, to reach his level of success in the real estate world, you have to put in the work, he says. It also takes "patience, innovation, creativity and a lot of understanding of what people want," he adds. "My secret has always been to connect to my clients, understand what it is that they want and what they don't want.

"I consider myself to be a master salesman, but that doesn't mean I sell it just means I know human character, and understanding human character usually leads to success."

"Listing Impossible" premieres on CNBC tonight at 10 p.m. ET

Don't miss: A day in the life of a NYC food truck owner who's up at 12:30 a.m. to park and sleeps in the driver's seat overnight

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A day in the life of the top real estate agent in LA, who makes millions selling luxury properties to the super rich - CNBC

On Friday, Sydney-based personal trainer Jono Castano Acero posted a photo with the Australian actress, saying he was proud of Wilson for sticking to it.

"Friday vibes, but @rebelwilson has been putting in the yards 7 days a week! Proud of you gurl," he wrote.

"I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays I've just had but I'm going to do it!" she wrote. "Who's with me in making some positive changes this year?"

"These people are like, the best dancers in the whole world, so they can't cool their muscles down or they could get an injury and they'd be out of the film ... So, they'd heat up the set like a sauna so we would never cool down, but made it pretty uncomfortable," Wilson said in the interview.

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Rebel Wilson shows off her weight loss in new Instagram post, after calling 2020 'The Year of Health' - CNN

Does your business occupy a crowded niche? If so, you'll need to stand out to survive.

January 15, 2020 4 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

These days, its increasingly difficult for an entrepreneurs business to stand out. Extreme competition has led to consumers having high expectations. Oftentimes, simply offering above-average quality products wont cut it. Business owners need to reject the dangerous idea that differentiation is about what their company does uniquely in terms of process, packaging, delivery, marketing, etc. Its all about what the customer gets out of a product, whether by way of greater utility, better features, lower cost or other impactful benefits.

Asmanagement guru Peter Druckerfamously stated,A product is not quality because it is hard to make and costs a lot of money, as manufacturers typically believe. This is incompetence. Customers pay only for what is of use to them and gives them value. Nothing else constitutes quality.

Competitive advantage, as Jeff Bezos likes to say, is about customer obsessiveness -- providinguses and advantages that make consumers happy and inspire them to re-order from the business again and again. Here are three credos businesses should keep in mind whenseeking a competitive edge over rivals.

Related: 4 Ways to Protect Your Company's Online Reputation

As Drucker says, quality should be looked upon from the customers perspective,not the suppliers. More specifically, itshould meet or exceed the buyers expectations when it comes toreliability and durability, safety and security, efficiency,user experience andcustomer service.

High quality alsoleads to potentially millions of dollars in free publicity. A recent example is Teslas Cybertruck. Its 2019 unveiling generated extreme worldwide buzz and rave reviews from auto experts. Elon Musks company subsequently received a quarter of a million pre-orders in less than a week. And while most companies cant match Musks bold vision and designs, let alone resources, Tesla can serveas an inspiration to entrepreneurs who strive for superiorquality and long-term, loyal customers.

Another example is Tael, whose anti-counterfeiting tech allows consumers to verify product authenticity with their mobile phone. The company evenbuilt a whole ecosystem of quality around its users, who are rewarded with tokens that can be used for high-quality goods and carefully selected services.

Speed doesn't mean what it used to. People arent easily impressed when Apple, Google and Amazon are spoiling them with superb devices and services delivered virtually in real time. Speed now means instant transactions, immediate customer service and one-day shipping or same-day, door-to-door delivery.

In the blockchain industry, speed is essential for mass adoption. Transactions can be slow and, depending on the network, can take over an hour to settle. That kind of cycle time is unimpressive for a payment system. Speed is also essential in the food sector. Multiple studies show that diners get exponentially angry if they wait more than 20 minutes for food.

Speed and quality are reasons why Instant Pot is the No. 1 selling product on Amazon. In the late 2000s, founder Robert Wangbet his savings that a multi-purpose pot that cooks fast would be well-received by busy moms and professionals. As forhis continuing success, Wang invokes Drucker's principle, readingallnegative reviews and improving the manufacturing process based on negative customer feedback.

Revelations of Google and Facebook'sdata-mining practices are making people concerned about the use of personal information. Legislation that would classify personal data as private property has stalled in Congress, but technologists wont and shouldn'twait for Washington, ascompanies can earn consumertrust by implementing user-friendly privacy policies and innovations.

Take ARPA, a blockchain venture that enables organizations to collaborate and share computational data without compromising privacy or data security. The firm uses privacy-smart contractsand enables participants to communicate via a trustless network, protecting sensitive info from hackers with a propietary method that includes message-authentication codes andsecret-sharing.

Related: To Beat the Competition, Become the Most Convenient Option

Without recurring sales, a business slowly dies, and happy customers are what drives recurring sales. That's why it's crucial to keep in mind that quality, speed and privacy can give any businesses an edge in todays competitive marketplace.

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3 Ways to Differentiate Your Business in a Competitive Market - Entrepreneur

Soham Yoga has teamed with the Rider Project to create an equestrian-specific yoga practice. Yanira Yani Daes and Lisa El-Ramey recently joined their respective expertise in the fields of yoga and riding to bring the benefits of alternative approaches to the riding public.

While Daes is bringing her specific yoga approach to the Rider Project Seat Retreats and Whole Rider Workshops, she is currently offering three-week programs at her studio, Soham Yoga. This program is designed to maximize yoga benefits for riders in the least amount of time.

Soham Yoga is offering a condensed and concentrated program emphasizing areas of the body for the greatest gain in riding efforts. Riders here for our winter season have a lot on their plates, said Lisa El-Ramey, founder of the Rider Project. Many of them are here for only a few months, and this program will give those riders an opportunity to gain the most benefit in the shortest amount of time.

Soham Yoga is located in Royal Palm Beach. Riders wishing to learn more about the Soham Yoga Equestrian program should visit the studio web site at http://www.sohamyoga.net.

Soham Yoga works with students to develop correct form and focus on the musculature each pose targets. Daes, a breast cancer survivor, was drawn to practice yoga as a result of her own life experiences and established Soham Yoga as a sanctuary for others in their own journeys.

For more info., call Daes at (561) 601-2525 or e-mail soham.yoga@icloud.com.

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A New Approach Uses Yoga To Target The Needs Of Equestrians - Town-Crier

CLEVELAND, Ohio Looking to improve your flexibility or work out the kinks that come with the lack of physical activity winter brings? Or are you wanting to devote more time to self care and stress relief?

Then don those comfy yoga pants and head out to one or more of Greater Clevelands best yoga studios, according to Yelp.

We partnered with Yelp Cleveland to find the top-rated yoga practices in the area, according to local residents just like you. Check out this list of 49 options around the region and then get moving!

Methodology: This is an all-time list of the best yoga studios in Greater Cleveland according to Yelp Cleveland. Yelp identified businesses in the yoga category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews. This list looked at businesses in the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit.

No. 1 Vision Yoga and Wellness

1861 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-348-1111; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Ive really grown to love the teachers and classes at Vision! Theresa has created a very welcoming, supportive, and friendly environment. Im so grateful that they have $5 options and affordable rates, which makes doing yoga on a regular basis seem much more attainable. Emily B.

Vision Yoga and Wellness in Cleveland (Photo by Deanna E., via Yelp)

No. 2 Inner Bliss Yoga Studio

19537 Lake Road, Rocky River, 440-331-3940; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: I arrived at my first ever yoga class the day Inner Bliss opened the Westlake studio, in August 2012. I came to the mat seeking a physical challenge, a new kind of workout. But what I found was a sacred place: the smiling faces, soulful music, heart-opening smells, warm hugs, sacred words, life lessons, deep breaths, new friends, and of course: the yoga itself. Tiffany B.

Inner Bliss Yoga Studio (Photo by Sarah A., via Yelp)

No. 3 The Studio Cleveland

1395 W 10th St., Suite 120, Cleveland, 216-621-7085; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: As a newcomer to yoga I really dig this place. Ive taken their Vinyasa all levels class 4 times and it was an amazing experience. I felt right at home and no worries amongst much more experienced people. Yoga is all about focusing on you during class so trust me if anyone is looking around its to see what pose to be in. The instructor Jen is great. The best part is how amazing I feel after a class physically and mentally. Jennifer D.

The Studio Cleveland (Photo by Lauren K., via Yelp)

No. 4 Yoga Strong

1104 Prospect Ave. E, Cleveland, 216-600-5566; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Wow!!!! The aerial yoga class was great! I trained with Jen, she worked along with us so we could use her as an example to correct our form. The class is lots legs, core and some shoulders. A lot of these moves as a guy we just dont train so you get us in a 45-minute class thats hitting the butt and wow. Im feeling it. I think this class is a good add on to what Im doing, a great way to change it up and meet a new group of people. Juno S.

Yoga Strong, Cleveland (Photo by Juno S., via Yelp)

No. 5 Studio 11

2337 W 11th St., Suite 2, Cleveland, 216-472-3611; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Studio 11 offers a soaring, bright airy welcoming space with a menu of services rich in variety for diverse experiences ranging from natural wellness, Thai massage and pilates to mindfulness, yoga, and community focused activities. Highly recommend to visit and explore the vibe, people and services. Diane S.

Studio Yoga 11, Tremont (Photo courtesy Studio 11)

No. 6 Puma Yoga

15602 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-221-6265; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Puma is a great place to connect with others in your yoga practice. Puma is located on busy Detroit Ave.--and the studio is entirely encased in glass windows I also like that Pumas classes appear to be fairly diverse. I have had classes with all kinds of people, which is not something I experience often at yoga studios. There are also people of all levels practicing in most classes, and they offer a lot of beginners classes. Amy D.

Puma Yoga, Lakewood (Photo courtesy Puma Yoga)

No. 7 Yoga Roots

3459 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-916-9286; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: The best yoga studio in Cleveland hands down. Such a grounded and loving vibe about this studio. A beautiful space and lovely staff. Owners are beautiful people. Love Yoga Roots! Brian G.

Yoga Roots, Cleveland Heights (Photo by Cody HD, via Yelp)

No. 8 Cleveland Yoga

2026 Murray Hill Road, Room 210, Cleveland, 216-704-4550; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Can't describe how much love I have for Cleveland Yoga! The studio is gorgeous with lots of natural light and the overall atmosphere is very welcoming. All the instructors have their own unique teaching style and each class is different & makes my practice grow in different ways. The classes are both challenging and meditative, and I always leave feeling better than I did walking in. Abhilasha B.

Cleveland Yoga, Little Italy (Photo by Charity L., via Yelp)

No. 9 Yoga 101

105 Front St., #206, Berea, 216-702-9642; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp Review: Im on the road as a professional musician 6-8 months out of the year. Yoga has saved my life and body from the physical and mental stressors of work, and Im extremely picky and careful about where I practice when I go to a studio. While I will not rate my favorite studios at home, I decided to give reviews to the best of those that Ive visited while on the road. ....starting with Laura Burt and Yoga 101. Pretty much hands down one of the most gifted Ashtanga teachers in the country, she epitomizes the best of the newer teachers in that style who knows technique yet has an eye for safety and modifications. Her hands-on assists are safe, spot-on, and right in the moment and her attitude in class is always friendly and helpful, not imperious. As a teacher myself I know when Im in the presence of someone terrific." Dean W.

No. 10 Chagrin Yoga

524 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-4884; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Hands Down, Chagrin Yoga is my Happy Place! I have tried a couple different classes and it really just depends what type of yoga you enjoy. My personal favorite is Yin: Relax and Restore at the end of the day! My children have gone to a couple of the Kids Yoga Sessions offered on Saturday and have really enjoyed themselves! - Michelle B.

Chagrin Yoga, Chagrin Falls (Photo courtesy Chagrin Yoga)

No. 11 One Love Yoga Boutique

145 River St., Suite 5, Kent, 330-842-7228; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: The studio has all kinds of different yoga classes that include different levels of difficulty. Im a casual yoga enthusiast, so I usually take the beginners classes, but dont feel as if theyre too difficult or too easy. My favorite class Ive taken here was a body art yoga class. Everyone painted themselves with glow in the dark paint, and we did yoga in a dark room with really fun music. I love how creative the studio is! Megan H.

One Love Yoga Boutique (Photo courtesy One Love Yoga Boutique)

No. 12 Pink Lotus Yoga

18103 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-632-0816; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Pink Lotus is so authentic and welcoming to all and any individuals who are interested in yoga classes. Whether you are curious and uninitiated or an experienced yogi, you will feel that you belong when joining a class at this studio. Beki P.

Pink Lotus Yoga (Photo by Marie R., via Yelp)

No. 13 Atma Center

2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-9760; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: The focus is on actual yoga with a mind body emphasis ... Love the different levels of crisis and the instruction approach is not judgmental. Not for the work-out-aholics who need a Bikram style to feel good. - Matt K.

Atma Center, Cleveland Heights (Photo courtesy ATMA Center)

No. 14 Namaste Yoga Studio and Shoppe

9293 Olde 8 Road, Northfield Center, 330-908-0700; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: A welcoming and calming place where students of any level can find thoughtful and competent instruction. Highly recommended! - Keith M.

Namaste Yoga Studio & Shoppe, Northfield (Photo by Lauren K., via Yelp)

No. 15 Source Energy Yoga Studio

13348 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 440-364-7645; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Ive attended the Rise and Shine Vinyasa Flow as well as the Yin Meditation at Source. I cant recommend this studio enough! The space is intimate and relaxing and the instructors/fellow yogis are consistently welcoming and friendly. There is no intimidation factor here - youre encouraged to find your personal yoga expression. - Crystal C.

Source Energy Yoga, Lakewood (Photo courtesy Source Energy Yoga)

No. 16 Bikram Yoga

4850 SOM Center Road, Moreland Hills, 858-603-3330; Yelp rating: 3.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Its well worth it. So I love the instructor, the place is clean, theres water and clothes to buy but no showers. I need my shower. Lol! Overall I would go back and I would take a friend. Juno S.

Bikram Yoga, Moreland Hills(Photo by Juno S., via Yelp)

No. 17 Lifesource Yoga & Bodyworks

55 Shiawassee Ave., Suite 4, Akron, 330-835-9945; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: I wanted to wait to write my review after having taken a months worth of classes. I am happy to say that my opinions of the studio have only improved because my experiences this past month solidified the positive first impression I had on the day I walked in after seeing a sign posted outside. - Soly Z.

Lifesource Yoga & Bodyworks, Akron (Photo courtesy Lifesource Yoga)

No. 18 Root Healing & Therapy

20545 Center Ridge Road, Suite 212, Rocky River, 216-905-7801; Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

Sample Yelp review: Root is the best! Great massage by Holly. I will absolutely be returning. I found them on Groupon and I am going to purchase a package deal from them. At checkout, the staff was so kind, friendly, and wasnt pushy at all about purchasing a package. They also have yoga here, which I will be attending as well. - Courtney A.

Root Healing & Therapy, Rocky River (Photo courtesy Root Healing & Therapy)

No. 19 GrooveRyde

3393 Tuttle Road., Suite 105, Shaker Heights, 216-303-9988; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp Review: I love Alicias GrooveFlow classes on Monday, theyre a great balance of stretching but also HIIT yoga where get an amazing workout. - Angeleah P.

Grooveryde, Shaker Heights (Photo by Angeleah P., via Yelp)

No. 20 3 Sisters Yoga & Fitness

2406 Ridgeland Dr., Avon, 440-934-9642; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: I have been taking classes at 3 sisters for about 3 years. I really love the variations of classes that are offered. Want to be challenged? Hot Power. Need a slower pace, Slow Flow. Just want a lovey stretch and reset? Restorative! Whatever mood or need, 3 Sisters has you covered. The instructors are lovely, warm and welcoming, offering hands on assists and adjustments. Each instructor really sets the mood of the class with a playlist that is perfection. 3 Sisters is wonderful, when youre here, you truly are a sister! - Christina C.

3 Sisters Yoga & Fitness, Avon (Photo by Sherine N., via Yelp)

No. 21 LuLu Tru Holistic Beauty & Wellness

14577 E. Park St., Burton, 440-834-0887; Yelp rating: 4 stars

Sample Yelp review: I love this place! The staff is extremely nice and they always remember who you are. The yoga classes are a good price and very relaxing with a great instructor. Everything about this place is just very welcoming, its not like any salon Ive ever been to before. I had a pedicure done four weeks ago and I still get compliments on it. 10/10 would recommend this place to anyone. - Ash D.

LuLu Tru Holistic Beauty & Wellness, Burton (Photo courtesy LuLu Tru)

No. 22 Blue Moon Yoga Studio

14532 Pearl Road, Suite 102, Strongsville, 440-334-4292; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: A peaceful, welcoming space that motivates me to deepen my physical as well as mental practice in yoga. A wide range of classes including kids, hot, beginners, slow flow, and restorative. There is something for every level and ability. - Tricia B.

Blue Moon Yoga Studio, Strongsville (Photo courtesy Blue Moon Yoga Studio)

No. 23 EssentialZen Yoga Studio

330 E. Garfield Road, Aurora, 330-995-5000; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: It is right in the sweet spot of difficulty I was looking for until I get some more experience under my belt. It is as challenging as you make it as she offers variations on the poses if you are having any difficulty... I would not hesitate to recommend it to a beginner. I have also taken the renew and restore yoga with Jenny and it is even more gentile, focusing on stretching and meditation. This class would be great for a beginner or someone who struggles in a regular yoga class. - Rob F

EssentialZen Yoga Studio, Aurora (Photo by Kira R., via Yelp)

No. 24 Hope Yoga

21571 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-665-0507; Yelp rating: 5 stars

Sample Yelp review: This place was great. They have classes at all levels and abilities. The instructor I had took her time to explain and help me with movements and form. The building is new and beautiful inside, very comfortable and soothing and smelled amazing. There is parking outside and 2 restrooms in the facility. They offer all supplies for you to use during class, and also sell some items and products. I will recommend Hope Yoga Studio to my friends. - Marcy F.

Hope Yoga, Fairview Park (Photo by Erin F., via Yelp)

No. 25 Half Moon Yoga

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Namaste: Ranking Clevelands Top 49 yoga studios according to Yelp - cleveland.com

A New Years resolution that can be achieved without leaving the house

As January reaches its halfway point, students may still be looking to start the decade with a new hobby or set of goals. One ambitious yet popular goal for the new year revolves around getting active, even from ones own bedroom. That activity? Yoga.

Originating in ancient India, yoga is a popular form of exercise that involves the body, mind and spirit. Those who teach and practice yoga say the practice can be healing in both a physical and mental sense.

For third-year Chicano/a studies major Juli Perez, yoga did exactly that.

Yoga has always really challenged me [] and my relationship to my body in a way I never thought would happen, Perez said.

Perez said her interest in yoga began as a child, though her commitment to the practice was on and off. Now, Perez and a few of her friends have committed themselves to 30 Days of Yoga With Adriene, a trend where viewers can watch Adriene Mishler, a.k.a. Yoga With Adriene, on YouTube, and practice yoga everyday throughout the month of January.

Perez isnt the only one dedicating a portion of her day to Mishlers home-yoga videos the acclaimed yoga instructor has earned over 5.5 million YouTube subscribers by uploading weekly videos of her yoga exercises for others to follow along to. Each January since 2012, Yoga With Adriene has uploaded a month-long yoga journey where she invites viewers to participate in practicing yoga daily for the entire month. This year, Mishler introduces Home, where she encourages participants to find what feels good while Mishler follows along with them on their journey.

It is not a challenge, Mishler said in her invitation to viewers for January 2020. I like to think of it as a story, a ride, and were gonna write it and ride it together.

What sets Yoga With Adriene apart? For one thing, Mishlers yoga is free and is accessible outside of an expensive yoga studio. Additionally, beginners can follow along at their own pace and need not feel intimidated by more experienced peers in a yoga studio.

In a recent interview with the Today Show, Mishler addressed her connection to her followers through yoga.

The spirit of Yoga With Adriene is like, Im in my little corner of the world choosing to take care of myself, my real self, and whatever Im showing up with today, Mishler said. But also, Im here with you.

Perez said getting back into yoga with Mishlers videos has opened up her year for more time to dedicate to self-growth and positivity.

For me, its just taking 30 minutes of my day, for myself, Perez said. Its been a really good transition into 2020 because its reminding me with the new year to make time for myself, make space for myself and really listen to what my body has to say.

Olivia Krieger, a PhD candidate in the psychology department, said yoga improved her health, both physically and mentally. Krieger teaches yoga at the ARC and said she wants her students to achieve the same healing she did. And, thanks to her studies in cognitive neuroscience, Krieger understands the rewards yoga can offer the mind.

Yoga helps us feel grounded, helps us take on challenges, releases anxiety, increases our focus and makes us feel happier, Krieger said. Anyone looking to improve their body and their mind should consider yoga as part of their New Years resolution.

Krieger also said those hesitant to try shouldnt be discouraged.

Theres a common misconception that you need to be flexible to do yoga, but thats not true, she said. You dont need to be able to touch your toes. It will probably be challenging your first few times, but hang in there. Its well worth the effort to keep coming back!

In Kriegers experience, yoga whether at home or in a classroom setting can build strength and create flexibility beyond what she experienced lifting weights at the gym.

Not only did it challenge my strength, but it offered time to focus on balance and flexibility and it calmed my mind and helped me focus, Krieger said.

At the end of the day, yoga has been deemed a challenging and inspiring exercise into recognizing ones own physical, spiritual and mental strength. As Krieger, Perez and Mishler see it, yoga might be the way to start off 2020 on the right foot.

Yoga might be very different than what you imagine, Krieger said. And youll never know if you dont try it out!

Written by: Alana Wikkeling features@theaggie.org

Excerpt from:
New year, new yoga - The Aggie

Photo: Blue Lotus/Yelp

In search of a new favorite yoga spot?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top yoga spots around Raleigh, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're in the market for yoga.

Shoppers in the Raleigh area tend to spend more in the winter at health and beauty businesses than any other season of the year, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a software provider that also helps small businesses find free advertising online. The average amount spent per customer transaction at Raleigh-area health and beauty businesses climbed to $64 for the metro area in the winter of last year, 18% higher than the average for the rest of the year.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

First on the list is Blue Lotus. Located at 401 N. West St., Suite 105 in North Central, the yoga and Pilates spot is the highest-rated yoga spot in Raleigh, boasting five stars out of 29 reviews on Yelp.

Falls of Neuse's Midtown Yoga, located at 200 Park at N. Hills St., Suite 111, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the yoga spot five stars out of 12 reviews.

110 Yoga, a yoga spot in Central, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 21 Yelp reviews. Head over to 444 S. Blount St., Suite 110 to see for yourself.

This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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The 3 best yoga spots in Raleigh - Yahoo News

Finding the best yoga pants is as satisfying as falling asleep in Shavasana. Because whether you spend your mornings performing four or five Sun Salutations, or just need a pair to lounge in while watching the new season of You, the perfect yoga pant is a notoriously elusive closet essential.

You need leggings that wont roll down your waist, aren't too sheer, and don't squeeze you like a stress ball. Plus, the technology involved in modern-day yoga pants is a far cry from the simple cotton ones of decades pastnow there are moisture-wicking materials to keep the sweat at bay in a heated room and stretch fibers to keep your waistband from folding as you move through poses. Add in a million options for styles, cuts, and patterns and things can start feeling very un-zen.

So we went to the expertsreal women who teach yogato find out what they actually wear when practicing...or running errands. From tried-and-true Lululemon leggings to new favorites from Carbon38 and some seriously comfy borrowed-from-the-boys sweats, check out their recommendations for the best yoga pants, below.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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11 Best Yoga Pants in 2020, According to Yoga Instructors - Glamour

Jan 15, 2020 Mary Bartel sits on a purple mat, legs crossed, hands together at the center of her chest. Ten students - in their 50s, 60s and 70s - do the same on their own mats, all different colors. The hardwood floor creaks as they adjust their bodies.

Now, the practice of yoga, which is the first sutra in the yoga sutras, Bartel says slowly, in a soft voice. So as we settle in and close the eyes, if thats comfortable, with a soft gaze looking out at a single point.

Mary Bartel while teaching a class. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

Breathe in. Breathe out. Sunshine washes the face of Bartels brown cat, who looks out the window from her blanket on a massage table. Lit candles around the room create a warm feeling, both from the glow and from the welcoming smell.

That sutra reminds us that its in the present moment. Now, the practice of yoga, which means every moment.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Bartels studio Inner Quest Yoga & Wellness Center is on a busy intersection on Broadway in Saranac Lake. The traffic is constant, but the students tune it out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Every moment. You can practice yoga.

Bartel, 61, grew up in North Massapequa, Long Island, and she knew early on that city life wasnt for her.

From a very young girl, when I saw the Adirondacks coming from Long Island, I knew, she said. I went home after summer vacation with my girlfriend and I said to my parents, Im not going to make my living on Long Island. Im moving to the mountains.'"

Mary Bartel while teaching a class. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

Bartel moved to Saranac Lake in 1977 to attend North Country Community College, graduated with an associates degree in business administration and worked for the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee during the 1980 Winter Olympics before moving to Denver the same year. While in Colorado, she worked for the Xerox Corp. and earned a bachelors degree in technical management at Regis University. She moved back to Saranac Lake in 1988 and got a job at the Lake Placid Horse Show Association, where she became the executive director in 1991.

I left there in 2000 and had all kinds of physical issues that were arising from sitting at a desk and stress-related stuff that kind of got me into yoga, she said.

Students practice yoga during one of Bartel's classes. From left, Susan Moody, Karen Boldis and Rick Retrosi. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

Bartel began her yoga journey by buying a video. I would need to do it first thing in the morning just to get myself mobile and moving, she said. After six months of yoga, she was feeling better.

I was starting to unravel all kinds of physical pain from chronic neck and back problems. And I knew there was something to it.

Whats that saying? You can take the girl out of the city, but you cant take the city out of the girl. Bartel admits to having a type A personality, so slowing down with yoga wasnt natural. But she worked hard at it, taking the time she needed to get healthy.

What I really found was it is just the time that you take for yourself and the relaxation, she said. That was profound for me because Im a go, go, go person. It just evolved.

Bartel bought more and more yoga videos, enough to create her own library.

And about a year-and-a-half later, I was telling my husband, I think I want to go learn how to teach yoga. I want to learn more about this. And he was like, Go for it.

Bartel began teaching classes in 2000 and opened Inner Quest Yoga at her current location in 2005 living quarters on the lower level, and studio on the main floor. Now shes a certified yoga therapist, instructor and continuing education provider and specializes in a variety of disciplines, including Structural Yoga Therapy, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, sonic healing, Reiki and iRest yoga nidra meditation.

And she remains in Saranac Lake, the health capital of the Adirondacks, where she feels like shes on vacation every day shes not working.

You can engage more in nature and find the nature that you are by living and breathing here in the Adirondacks, Bartel said. Its uplifting to my soul for sure.... You know, getting out in the woods, whether it be for a half hour or for half a day, whatever it is, or being on the water, floating on the water, just washes the cares of the outer world away.

Students practice yoga during one of Bartel's classes. From left, Mary Jean Burke, Tom Boothe and Ed Roesner. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

People who are on their own yoga journeys know what yoga is all about, but there are many people unfamiliar with the practice. They see images in the media of people in comfortable clothing, stretching on mats in pretzel-like poses. They hear about the many styles of yoga: Hot Yoga, Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Structural Yoga, Kripalu Yoga - the list goes on.

It can be confusing, overwhelming.

I dont think a lot of people know what yoga is because youll hear, Oh I cant do yoga because Im not flexible. And yoga is not the postures, Bartel said. The posturing we do in classes is a technique of yoga. So yoga really is a mind state. Yoga is meditation.

In Bartels yoga classes, she leads her students through postures, breath work and meditation to reach a natural state of calm and peace, a communion within. The mind is in a state of consciousness free from all kinds of thought, unaware of external forces. As the name of Bartels business implies, people take an inner quest to get to that mind state.

So things are happening, and youre able to hold your own sense of self and peace and calm no matter what is arising, she said.

Bartel learned the classical tradition of yoga and studied the yoga sutras of Patanjali, an ancient Indian sage in Hinduism. The 196 sutras (aphorisms) are short threads of information that help people explore yoga. They are divided into four chapters: samadhi (about enlightenment), sadhana (about the practice), vibhuti (about the results) and kaivalya (about liberation).

Everything you perceive in your life is a movement in awareness, Bartel said. And the more you practice yoga and you practice meditation and you come to see and be very intimate with all of these perceptions ... the more you can ultimately come to recognize that a lot of times theres no need to respond or react to whats going on. You become more of a witness or observer and maybe less emotional.

In the state of yoga, a person becomes completely absorbed in the body, mind and spirit.

Ultimately through the practices, Bartel said, people learn to let go more, and they get into the flow and pure bliss of being where they are through effortless effort not doing or striving to be just be the best in the moment without judgment.

From left, Susan Moody and Karen Boldis. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

Asked what Bartels life would be like today if she never found yoga, she said, Id probably be a mess.

When she began yoga, she never thought shed be able to live without pain. She had problems as a child, with structural anomalies of scoliosis. She has whats called a military neck, an abnormal curve of the cervical spine.Without yoga, Bartel said she probably would have been guided toward surgery, which shes not convinced is the best solution for her. Yet her problems werent just physical.

A lot of it was rooted in the stress. You know, I just tend to be a person that naturally is nervous and easily anxious. And so I really found that I needed the relaxation and the meditation. Those pieces really allowed me to profoundly adjust my life in many ways, eliminating things I was doing that were not appropriate for my body.

Before yoga, she couldnt relax. Now she can sit down in the middle of the day and meditate for 20 to 30 minutes or longer. Some may call that a success story. Bartel calls it an evolution. The difference before and after yoga is night and day, she said.

Its been so profound to experience why I wasnt happy, why I wasnt feeling the joy in my life, and what makes me happy really is not anything that comes from outside, she said.

Mary Bartel while teaching a class. December 2019. Photo: Andy Flynn

In the digital age, everyone is bombarded with technology. They cant seem to get away from outside forces, the din of society the screens, the sounds, the images, the videos, the texts, the emails, the Tweets.

I think that the technology is taking people more and more away from themselves. I mean theres constant distraction, Bartel said. And its becoming so addictive that people cant even put their phones down and just be still and not outwardly looking at something, listening to something, seeing if they have a message.

Perhaps Americans need yoga more than ever. And Bartel is one of many instructors ready to share their knowledge, helping others transform themselves through yoga. While she continues teaching a few classes a week, she is focusing more on therapy, working one-on-one with people, helping them find an inner balance.

Its an intimate balance, and everybodys different, she said. So thats why adapting the practices to the individual is really key.

Bartel is like a guide on the journey to bliss. Along the way, shell ask a lot of questions. Are you doing what you love to do in life? Do you like your job? Do you love all the people you surround yourself with? Bartels business tag line is aligning with what is most essential. And that requires even more questions. What do I want? What do I need? What do I need to do? What do I not need to do? What do I need to let go of?

So many people are worried about things that happened in the past or the future that theyre not living right now, she said. And that was the beginning, the first sutra is and now, the practice of yoga.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

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North Country at Work: finding inner peace with yoga therapist Mary Bartel - North Country Public Radio